Question
My orchid wad in an 8" pot so it wasn't very small when I bought it (Everything is Bigger In Texas).  I've had it for 5 years now, transplanted only once. It has 5 stems and they have stems. Now, my question, what are the leaves doing growing out of the stems 3' up from the pot?

Answer
Cindy, first let me congratulate you for your growing over the past 5 years.  Phalaenopsis orchids may retain their green flower spike after flowering.  When this occurs, they may form plantletts (ie clones) at some nodes (ie joints) in the flower spike. These plantlets usually start with the emergence of leaves, which can then develop roots.  When the leaves are rooted and about 3 inches in length, they may be removed from the flower spike and potted up on their own.  If they are left on the flower spike, I have seen some grow to large enough plants that then flower on the mother flower spike.